Skip to content

Wealth of Congress Superlatives! (Video)

Constructing Roll Call’s Wealth of Congress project involves spending an extensive amount of time up to our noses in financial disclosure forms.  

Most of that is spent poring over ink on an endless numbers of pages and crunching numbers. But every so often, certain nuggets of data stand out. And sometimes, aspects of the filing form itself are what pop.  

Here, in superlative form, are some of this year’s most interesting findings:  

The 10 Richest Members of Congress in 2015

Loading the player...

Least Legible: Michigan Republican Rep. Dave Trott’s disclosure form was the victim of over-scanning. By the time Roll Call got a copy it was grainy and nearly impossible to read without a magnifying glass.  

Most Helpful: Trott’s office was kind enough to provide a cleaner copy and save our eyes.  

Fastest Asset: This award goes to Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., and his racehorse, Lucy Boo.  

Longest Disclosure Form: Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas, provided an entire year’s worth of financial statements along with the required disclosure form, making his 2014 filing a whopping 2,300 pages long. Desks quaked any time the stack was placed upon them.  

Most Likely to Serve as Fed Chair in a Rand Paul Administration: Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., has spread the brunt of his wealth among a dozen-plus business enterprises focused on precious minerals (eight sport the term “gold” in the title, though he’s also cool with unearthing silver, uranium and oil).  

Most Likely to Ensure You Make It to the Chapel on Time: Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., is part owner of the Ava Laurenne bridal boutique in Fredericksburg, Va.  

Most Airborne Member: Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., earned $9,750 in 2014 from the Texas Flying Legends Museum for commercial pilot services.  

Creepy-Crawliest Asset: Rep. Robert J. Dold, R-Ill., claimed partial ownership of Rose Exterminator Co., valued between $1 million and $5 million.  

Farthest From Home Asset:  Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., owns a half share of a rental home in Akaroa, New Zealand. He also has an account with the Bank of New Zealand.  

Cyra Master, JM Rieger and Warren Rojas contributed to this report.

Related:

Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.

Recent Stories

Five races to watch in Pennsylvania primaries on Tuesday

‘You talk too much’— Congressional Hits and Misses

Senators seek changes to spy program reauthorization bill

Editor’s Note: Congress and the coalition-curious

Photos of the week ending April 19, 2024

Rule for emergency aid bill adopted with Democratic support